Best choice among the UL hooded down jackets?
on 12/12/2013 02:50:16 MST

I'm considering purchasing an ultralight hooded down jacket (the hood is a must) to use as my primary insulating layer (in camp) on an upcoming PCT thru hike, and I'm trying to get a full grasp of my options. The following list comprises the main contenders that are on my radar so far:

Of these, I've tried on the Patagonia UL Down Hoody and the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. The Patagonia UL Down Hoody is nice but the fit is a little snugger than I would like (I am 5'10" 165lbs and I generally take a men's medium jacket size). This jacket is also totally out of my price range, so I would only consider it if I could find a good deal on a used one.

I loved the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer in a men's size medium. Perfect fit, very warm and light. Unfortunately, this jacket, like the Patagonia one, is out of my price range unless I could get a good deal on a used one.

The Backcountry.com Hadron Down Anorak seems great, except for the fact that it doesn't have a full front zipper, which I think is a deal breaker for me since it severely limits the versatility of the jacket IMO.

The Montbell UL Down Parka seems like it might just be the ticket for me, being warm, light, and relatively inexpensive, but I have yet to try one on so I don't know how this jacket would fit me.

Am I missing anything comparable here? Is there any compelling reason to not just save money and go with the Montbell (assuming it fits me)?

Are all these jackets comparably warm? I hate it how most of the manufacturers will not tell you how much fill is in the jacket. So frustrating...

My other option is to save my money and just use the Patagonia R2 jacket fleece that I already own, but I'm afraid that even with all my layers on (Cap 2 baselayer + polyester t-shirt + R2 fleece jacket + windshell) I won't be warm enough while sitting in camp on cold nights and mornings.

I'm not really interested in being cold, even if it would save me a few ounces (which it wouldn't in this case, since the R2 fleece jacket weighs 12.5oz).

Take a look at the GoLite Bitteroot. It is heavier than the others but also much warmer and a bargain price at $200. I'm hoping for it to go on sale during the holidays but seems doubtful.

This my opinion only, but when you have really narrow chambers for the down, I feel like you are getting a really bad value in a down jacket. You are paying for all the extra stitching instead of for less stitching and more down.

The Hadron should have 2.3oz of 850FP down. The old stoic versions had that much.The button snaps is nice as there's much less cold spots since there's no zipper.

I don't find the pullover design to be much if a problem since I only wear down puffies when at rest/around camp.

My body runs warmer than most, so I found it to be comfortable to freezing with just a midweight wool layer on (icebreaker bodyfit 200), and even warmer with a windshirt thrown over. I'll probably be happy down to the 20's with my new MEC Vega (grid fleece) hoodie underneath and windshirt over.

Check out geartrade.com, backcountry posts some good deals on used down stuff there frequently. That's where I got my Hadron Anorak for $80, practically new. Also got my Rab Xenon there for 75, again practically unworn.

the montbell piece is very nice. BUT i did not find if warm enough for winters in PA. it was perfect for spring and fall, but it is not that thick. not warm enough for lows in the teens hanging around the campfire. 20s would be pushing it. just my 2

Basically any jacket of this weight will only be warm to around the freezing point depending on layering (my UL parka was good to about 40 usually).

The MB UL in medium should fit you well and be exactly what you're looking forward. I used mine nonstop before it was stolen during the cooler months. The biggest drawback is the fabric they use is not the most downproof, so you get little feathers floating every time you wear it (makes me wish they had an EXLite version with a hood!). Even with the leaking feathers I still loved and found much use for the UL parka. The others are basically the same jacket with changes in fit and fabric. Variations on a theme if you will, and much more expensive, stoic/bc.com pullover aside. For the weight penalty of going up to ~12oz the suggestion of a bitterroot is a good one. It will be much warmer and still cheaper than the Pata/MHW versions. Those two are nice, but ridiculously over priced for being made outside the US. Also if you are willing to spend $300, get a MB mirage which is a premium version of the Bitterroot and never be cold again outside of deep winter (box wall, 5.3oz of 900fp down, less than 13oz).

I've used a Montbell UL Down Parka (hooded)for the past two years from early spring to late fall in the Sierra (as low as 20F). While it's nice and gets the job marginally done, I wish I would have bought something with just a tad more down (4 oz. range) for when temps get below freezing.

I'm about the same size and shape as you and Montbell medium fits me perfect. I don't have the UL down parka but I do have the Alpine light, which i love. Its perfect for shoulder seasons with just a light baselayer, and good for winter with some heavier layers underneath. I don't find myself using it all in the summer in the Sierras though.

Re: Best choice among the UL hooded down jackets?
on 12/12/2013 14:27:04 MST

Derek,Totally tooting my own horn, but I just did some surveying / decision making of my own on this same topic:http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=84362

For the weight class you're considering, I ended up with the Uniqlo down hoody, as it is a price point that trumps all the competition. But, I suppose most of my consideration was in a higher weight class than what you've listed here.

But, if you liked the size medium Montbell, you may want to check out a size small Uniqlo.